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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Not enjoying camping!

105 replies

Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 17:31

Long story short, I agreed to try camping with my boys (9 and 11) and my fiancé. Both of us work ft but on low wages and figured a break away would be better than none.
If I'm being totally honest I am really not enjoying it and can't help but count the minutes until we are back home! I'm cross at myself for feeling like this and feel like I'm letting down my very outdoorsy fiancé but try as I might, it's just not for me.
I think I'm too old and just prefer the comforts of home!!!
Kids are doing OK but getting a bit bored too which is annoying my fiancé which in turns bothers me. I feel claustrophobic stuck in a small tent with them all in the middle of nowhere although I fully appreciate that's heaven to others.
I don't want to tell him I'm not having much fun as he really was hoping I'd enjoy the whole camping experience.
Advice please 😊

OP posts:
TheWayOfTheWorld · 31/05/2019 17:33

What is it you don't like? Are you uncomfortable and/or bored? I like my comforts and if you'd me a year ago I'd get into camping I would have laughed in your face!

Joopy · 31/05/2019 17:34

I love camping, what is it that you don't like?
Are you uncomfortable at night?
Are you bored?
Do you not enjoy cooking outdoors?

Snowy111 · 31/05/2019 17:36

Red wine helpsWineGrin

The more camping you do the more you can buy to make it easier.

I love a tent with an awning that you can cook in that becomes a sun trap to sit in

Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 17:37

Mostly bored but only have a small tent so not much space. I absolutely don't want him to think I'm a diva but it's just not for me. I don't enjoy walking and for me, a good holiday is about relaxing. Just all seems like hard work if that makes sense and I do that at work work! Sorry for moaning but I'm finding it hard!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 17:38

The kids aren't his either so I feel the responsibility falls on me if that makes sense?

OP posts:
SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 31/05/2019 17:42

Well, it's meant to be a holiday for you too, so.... Have you transport to go to a nearby town tomorrow, or see a place of interest? If dp just wants you all to go off hiking every day, and that's his thing and no-one elses, then that's not fair.

Snowy111 · 31/05/2019 17:43

I don’t think you should feel bad. I do think men don’t need as much comfort as women, the men I know are happy to use a two man and slum it

My tent is huge stand up size and I take a full kitchen with planned meals, extra double duvet for warmth, tent carpet etc. I think that’s becoming more normal nowadays, some of the smaller sites are finding it difficult to accommodate the growing sizes of tent!

You shouldn’t feel bad if you’re not keen, either find a way to make it work or let it be his thing with the kids - shorter trips maybe

Spanielmadness · 31/05/2019 17:45

Think about if he’s right for you. If one of you is very outdoorsy and the other not, after a few years you end up wanting to holiday and spend your leisure time apart........

Joopy · 31/05/2019 17:46

Are there books, games for the kids? Are they bored?
Are you bored during the day or night n the evening?
What is there on the campsite?
Maybe you need a campsite full of activities so the kids can explore and you can relax.

Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 17:48

Aw thank you, I feel like some ungrateful old witch! We only have his car so no, can't go anywhere. He got a bit cross at me earlier as he waned to go for a walk with the kids (which I was happy for him to do) but I was happier to stay in the tent and read. I just feel like I HAVE to like it but it's just not me if that makes sense?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 17:48

*wanted

OP posts:
Walkamileinmyshoesbeforeujudge · 31/05/2019 17:49

Tarpaulin, make a makeshift added 'lounge'.
You shouldn't be sat in the tent until bedtime ime!!

DippyAvocado · 31/05/2019 17:51

I'm a bit like you in that I'm not naturally outdoorsy. Not much help this time but if you go in future, I've found a few things help. I always get electric hook-up. For lots of people this isn't true camping, but I wouldn't camp more than a night without it. Proper lights, heater if it's cold, charger for phone and handheld computer games (again, this would be looked down on by many campers but I let mine go on them for a short time in the early morning/evening.

Go to a campsite with a play area. This occupies mine for hours and they made lots of friends. They got a bit bored when we've been at sites without one.

Cook very simple food with no chopping of vegetables - pasta with a jar of sauce or hot dogs and baked beans. BBQ if they are allowed.

Does the site have firepits/campfires? My kids favourite part of camping is toasting marshmallows.

If you want to make a go of it in the future, try to get a bigger tent. It makes all the difference. You can often get them second hand.

I also agree with finding somewhere to go for day trips. It's not that much fun just hanging around the site or going for local walks.

Camping does take a bit of getting used to so it can be difficult the first time. At the end of the day, you gave it a go. Maybe he can take the DC in future for a bit of bonding?

Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 17:51

We've always been very different in that regard, I think some of it is because he's never had children so just him away doing his own thing has been a way of life for him (he's 43). But a lot of it is also because we're both low earners so it's not like we can afford expensive holidays!

OP posts:
Sunbeam18 · 31/05/2019 17:52

Sounds hard work if he wants you to do everything he wants to do. What's wrong with reading your book while he walks with the kids?

LittleLongDog · 31/05/2019 17:52

Tent is for sleeping in and definitely not for hanging out in in the day. Get out and read in a camp chair around the camp fire.

mummyhaschangedhername · 31/05/2019 18:05

We go out a lot. We have board games, books etc when we are stuck in. If you need entertaining some camp sites have entertainment, pools etc. We tend to go for small campsites with electric hook up, so we will have electric and internet usually (hubby has a mega 60gb per month so we call tag into his 😂

DroningOn · 31/05/2019 18:13

Camping isn't about sitting in your tent all day, just like being on holiday isn't about sitting in your hotel room all day which would be equally boring and cramped.

It's simply a cost effective way to have somewhere to sleep at night while being able to see/do different things during the day.

I think a lot of new campers expect more of it and are left disappointed

lifebegins50 · 31/05/2019 18:14

If the tent is too small it can make it uncomfortable for space,just storing stuff. I was much happier when we invested in large tent.
I am surprised that boys that age are bored, are there other children there for a ,game of football, staying up late with a fire or just having fun running around in the dark.

Are you at a place with limited places to visit? I don't think camping, if your idea of a holiday is relaxing, is for you as I think it has to be active, even if just walking.

How long have you been together? Just think that it can be important if you really have different interests.

pictish · 31/05/2019 18:15

Sounds like you could be doing with a bigger tent and a few more comforts. I love camping but we have a big tent and take loads of stuff, even for a wild camp. I love walking (it’s my hobby) and like nothing better than snuggling up in the tent after a long day on the hills. I never get bored but we have plenty of room to relax in the tent and cook and eat. Perhaps that’s what you’re missing...space and little luxuries.

If you’re not outdoorsy though, it’s not going to be your thing. You can’t force it.

Singlenotsingle · 31/05/2019 18:16

Always go to a campsite with entertainments, a pool, and a restaurant.

Purpleartichoke · 31/05/2019 18:24

One of the best things about my divorce is that I never have to go camping again.

You don’t have to enjoy camping. Liking to camp does not make you a better person. If it isn’t something you enjoy, then just don’t do it again.

Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 18:29

I agree. I'm the least outdoorsy person ever and it's just not ever going to be something I enjoy. I've given it a go but know it's just not my cup of tea. The tent is such a mess and I can't stand the chaos!!!!
We've been together 2.5 years and I guess it does worry me a bit. I mustn't make comparisons but his ex-wife (they were together 10 years, no kids) was far more outdoorsy than I am and loved camping etc. I was in a different position in that my ex-husband was wealthy so we had some pretty luxurious holidays. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret for one second leaving him (he turned out to be evil) but I guess what I am saying is holidays were very different back then if that makes sense?

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 31/05/2019 18:36

I think once you are back home you need to tell him it is ok to not like it. we used to caravan which is slightly warmer but i couldn't hang about a campsite all day which you seem to be doing and are miserable .

Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 18:37

I feel like I'm just being incredibly ungrateful and desperately trying not to cry 😢

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